School-Age Children Decrease by 30% Over the Past Six Years

The number of “school-age children (those subject to notification for school enrollment)” entering elementary school has decreased by 30% over the past six years.

According to the Ministry of Education's annual announcement of the number of elementary school-age children nationwide from 2020 to this year, the figure dropped from 452,506 in 2020 to 320,157 this year, a decrease of 138,349 children, or 29.2%. By year, the numbers have steadily declined: 449,787 in 2021, 429,251 in 2022, 415,552 in 2023, 369,441 in 2024, and 356,258 last year. This trend is expected to continue for the time being.

According to the “2025 Correctional Estimate of Student Numbers in Elementary, Middle, and High Schools” released by the Korea Educational Development Institute, which analyzed student population projections for 2026 to 2031, the number of elementary, middle, and high school students will fall below 5 million this year, barely stay above 4 million in 2030, and drop to 3.8 million in 2031.

For first graders in elementary school, the number is projected to decrease from 324,040 last year to 220,481 in 2031, a decline of 103,559 children, or 32.0%. Even excluding those who deferred enrollment or are residing overseas, the number of new elementary school students is expected to be halved over 11 years, dropping by 220,000.

Meanwhile, elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide all began the new school year on this day. According to the Ministry of Education, there are a total of 124 children who did not attend the preliminary assembly for first graders this year and whose whereabouts remain unconfirmed. Police investigations are currently underway regarding these children. The Ministry of Education plans to continue checking the whereabouts and safety of children who do not attend the preliminary assembly even after the official enrollment date.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.